Halifax Exhibition Centre Mixed Use Development

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PLPROJ-2023-01763

Last Updated: April 10, 2024


Project Status

The municipality is engaging with the landowner to get the technical studies needed to advance the comprehensive neighbourhood planning process and preparing for stakeholder and public engagement.

Project Outline

The Halifax Exhibition Centre (HEC) lands located along Prospect Road (Highway 333) in Beechville (see location map below) were identified by Halifax Regional Council as an “Opportunity Site”. The Regional Municipal Planning Strategy (Regional Plan) identifies Opportunity Sites and provides high-level direction for the site to be developed as a mixed-use neighborhood with a range of housing and dwelling unit types. The planning process will consider the appropriate range of housing types and land uses, development density, lands suitable for development to mitigate environmental impacts, and infrastructure upgrades needed to support mixed-use development on the site. Fathom Studios, on behalf of the landowner BANC Group, submitted a proposal for redeveloping the HEC lands. Their current proposal includes:

  • approximately 5,867 residential units, including 28 apartment buildings ranging from 6 to 24 storeys, and 20 townhouses and stacked townhouses (146 individual units);
  • supporting commercial uses, including the existing gas bar;
  • demolishing the existing Halifax Exhibition Centre building and the go-kart track;
  • expansion of central water and wastewater services (HEC is already serviced for the existing use – the proposal includes upgrading services to support a mixed-use development); and
  • new public roads and parkland.

See the current proposed site plan below. For more details about the proposal, see Landowners Original Submission under the Documents For Review section on the right side of this webpage.

Location Map

Property Owner’s Submission

Background

On April 9, 2024, Regional Council initiated a process to consider amendments to the Regional Plan, Regional Subdivision By-law, Planning District 4 (Prospect) Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law, and other municipal planning documents deemed necessary to allow a mixed-use neighbourhood development on the HEC lands.

The property was formally owned and developed as Exhibition Park by the Province of Nova Scotia to host conventions and events. The current owner acquired the property in 2015. They have since renovated the main building to continue hosting events and built a gas bar with associated convenience store, car wash, and restaurant (Tim Hortons).

The Regional Plan identifies the HEC lands as an Opportunity Site for new housing development in support of housing needs of the municipality. The Regional Plan enables consideration of a mixed-use neighbourhood with a range of housing types, employment opportunities, and services that serve the daily needs of residents through a comprehensive neighbourhood planning process. Policy S-13A of the Regional Plan requires further study of the site to consider a range of housing options that integrate with the character of the surrounding communities and landmarks, including Long Lake Provincial Park, the Western Commons, and the proposed expansion of the Ragged Lake Industrial Park. The planning process for the HEC lands will consider making changes to the planning documents to align potential future development with general neighbourhood goals and objectives.

Comprehensive Neighbourhood Planning Process

The planning process will address items that are needed for a new complete community through a neighbourhood plan for the entire site. This will include new roads, parks, pathways, housing mix, and any other amenities. Staff will draft new policies and regulations to guide the phasing, use, and form of development informed by existing municipal policies and priorities, public consultation, collaboration with internal and external reviewers, and the submission from the landowner, including required studies. The planning process will also consider the adoption of development agreement(s) which will be written concurrently with the comprehensive neighbourhood planning process.

How can I participate in the process and provide feedback?

The public will be invited to provide feedback on the proposal. Future updates about these opportunities will be made available on this webpage.

More details about the Regional Council endorsed public participation program can be found in Attachment A of the Initiation Report. The participation program includes engaging with key community interest groups as well as local residents and property owners.

PLPROJ-2023-01763

Last Updated: April 10, 2024


Project Status

The municipality is engaging with the landowner to get the technical studies needed to advance the comprehensive neighbourhood planning process and preparing for stakeholder and public engagement.

Project Outline

The Halifax Exhibition Centre (HEC) lands located along Prospect Road (Highway 333) in Beechville (see location map below) were identified by Halifax Regional Council as an “Opportunity Site”. The Regional Municipal Planning Strategy (Regional Plan) identifies Opportunity Sites and provides high-level direction for the site to be developed as a mixed-use neighborhood with a range of housing and dwelling unit types. The planning process will consider the appropriate range of housing types and land uses, development density, lands suitable for development to mitigate environmental impacts, and infrastructure upgrades needed to support mixed-use development on the site. Fathom Studios, on behalf of the landowner BANC Group, submitted a proposal for redeveloping the HEC lands. Their current proposal includes:

  • approximately 5,867 residential units, including 28 apartment buildings ranging from 6 to 24 storeys, and 20 townhouses and stacked townhouses (146 individual units);
  • supporting commercial uses, including the existing gas bar;
  • demolishing the existing Halifax Exhibition Centre building and the go-kart track;
  • expansion of central water and wastewater services (HEC is already serviced for the existing use – the proposal includes upgrading services to support a mixed-use development); and
  • new public roads and parkland.

See the current proposed site plan below. For more details about the proposal, see Landowners Original Submission under the Documents For Review section on the right side of this webpage.

Location Map

Property Owner’s Submission

Background

On April 9, 2024, Regional Council initiated a process to consider amendments to the Regional Plan, Regional Subdivision By-law, Planning District 4 (Prospect) Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law, and other municipal planning documents deemed necessary to allow a mixed-use neighbourhood development on the HEC lands.

The property was formally owned and developed as Exhibition Park by the Province of Nova Scotia to host conventions and events. The current owner acquired the property in 2015. They have since renovated the main building to continue hosting events and built a gas bar with associated convenience store, car wash, and restaurant (Tim Hortons).

The Regional Plan identifies the HEC lands as an Opportunity Site for new housing development in support of housing needs of the municipality. The Regional Plan enables consideration of a mixed-use neighbourhood with a range of housing types, employment opportunities, and services that serve the daily needs of residents through a comprehensive neighbourhood planning process. Policy S-13A of the Regional Plan requires further study of the site to consider a range of housing options that integrate with the character of the surrounding communities and landmarks, including Long Lake Provincial Park, the Western Commons, and the proposed expansion of the Ragged Lake Industrial Park. The planning process for the HEC lands will consider making changes to the planning documents to align potential future development with general neighbourhood goals and objectives.

Comprehensive Neighbourhood Planning Process

The planning process will address items that are needed for a new complete community through a neighbourhood plan for the entire site. This will include new roads, parks, pathways, housing mix, and any other amenities. Staff will draft new policies and regulations to guide the phasing, use, and form of development informed by existing municipal policies and priorities, public consultation, collaboration with internal and external reviewers, and the submission from the landowner, including required studies. The planning process will also consider the adoption of development agreement(s) which will be written concurrently with the comprehensive neighbourhood planning process.

How can I participate in the process and provide feedback?

The public will be invited to provide feedback on the proposal. Future updates about these opportunities will be made available on this webpage.

More details about the Regional Council endorsed public participation program can be found in Attachment A of the Initiation Report. The participation program includes engaging with key community interest groups as well as local residents and property owners.